Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-04

reached the parlOr they found that Tristot
had already borne the body of Ilcnricttc to
her own room, with n memory for places
that would have been remarkable in any one
but himself As soon as he received the light
he made a sign for NJ. Lacroix to follow him,
and Inc only was permitted to enter the room.
Instantly he recognized the pale face lying
upon the pillows, apparently without life or
motion, as that of Nine. Laroquc, whom he
had so numerically tortured, and whose pres
ence was n mystery beyond his power TO solve.
NJ. Lacroix went back again, and as be
tried to speak he burst into such a passion of
penitent tears that every one was moTed.
Then hc said, recovering himself:
"Pivolot, you are something of doctor.
For Gods sake do something for that poor
creature; and, 1listot, go for the doctor, and
if you see a woman anywhere bring her here.
If not, 90 for Mother Dondaine, and don't let
the grass grow till You bring some one.
an. De Ligneroles, you and l may have
reason to be thankful for this nights work,
which may enable us TO repair tho greatest
wrong we have ever done Roger Laroquc,
brace yourself for the greatest shock you
probably ever experienced The person who
lies insensblc in your wife's bed ls-courage-
none other than She herself, alive, and hope
soon to be restored to you. Stay, do not 80
in there yet. She has tainted, and it might
be dangerous for her to see you too suddenly.
Try TO wait in patience until the arrival of
the doctor. Gomez you have been resigned
and patient under her supposed loss Now
that she is alive and found, have courage just
a little while logger"
huger could not, dared not believe them
when they told him this, and he sat like one
who has received a stunning blow upon the
head which had benumbed all his faculties.
He remembered afterward that he had
thought that sometimes he had heard Of such
things-thngs fully rs unexpected and re-
markablo rs this-and be tried to bring him
self to hope that no chance resemblance had
deceived these usually astute men. Then he
thought: 81 will not allow myself to even
hope until am sure. 1t is impossible"
Il beg of you, NJ. Laroque do not look so
frightened or unhappy. | assure you, on my
honor as a man, and as one who has uncon-
sciously wronged both you and that poor
young lady lying within, that l am not mis-
taken; that is your wife, beyond doubt. We
found u body in the river, it is true, which
was supposed to be hers, but the river, you
know, is quite far from here, and it is very
certain now that it was that of some unfor-
tunate person not your wife. Where she has
>
and entered here, is more than can tell, and
then, besides, her presence on that balcony
that strange cry we heard calling your name
Why, can you not sec! DO your not feel"
"Alasl' said Roger, in husky whisper, 81
have suffered 50 much that dare not hope
Let me be until there is no possibility of
mistake. Oh, let mo see hcr'
"WaH-wait just one little minute i'll tho
doctor comes. But how is it that everything
is SO clean and in such perfect order here.
This house has been uninhabited ever since
your uncle took the little one away. She
may have been living here unknown to any
body all this while"
"No, for when returned to this country
one of my first visits was to this place, and
the neglected air was too painful to ne, so |
went rs William FOrncy and leased both
these places, and had Mother Dondaine put
both houses IN order, and if what you thinl;
could possibly he true, | shall be doubly glad
l did So"
During this conversation Pivolot was doing
all he could to restore the poor young woman
to consciousness, but without avail. She
breathed, however, regularly though family,
and knowing nothing better to do he retired
| from sight of her and stood waiting for Iris
tot TO return
Trstot had found and sent the doctor post
haste without saying who he was TO find at
tho supposed deserted house. When h.
reached there and found the two magistrates
and the American he was surprised, hu. Wien
! he saw his patient his astonshment turned TO
| absolute fear, so that it was with diuicui.y
he could administer the needful remedies.
! When lie came out of the room he saw that
the strange man appeared horribly aGit2tCj,
and that he clasped his hands as he said il
an ~ltreating voice: doctor, l pray you
| tell me il you know herr
who are you, and have you right 70 usi.r'
"Iie has, DOCTOR" said II. IacrJix, ".;.:a J.
| is our request that you tel him if you low"
VERY well, then. 1t is the lady v!,o:l y;e
| have all believed dead these ten Yeas, whose
supposed body raw and whose funeral
atUeuded-in a word, Nine. lIcnvl,,te La
rogue"
Are you positive--yer:ain, without the
possibility Of doubt Tell me true, do-tor.'
"Of course l am. Haven't l known her
ever since her Chiilhoodf IIave l not at
tended her and her little girl in every illness
they had! only wonder how l could have
been such laundering donkey before
Still Roger dared not hope. lie could be-
lieve no one but himself, and he had not seen
| her. Besides he thought, there Is but one
lamp, and by its feeble light they cannot see
clearly, and so the poor man tried to shut his
heart against hope, fearing disappointment,
just now Trstot was heard without, and
some one with him. and he came up stairs
with triumphant air and II handful OF
candles which he had hastily purchased
The person who was with him was not
Mother Dondaine, but the good and gentle
old Nine. Dubois. He had seen Lcr huvrying
along the street, peeping anxiously in every
direction, as ii hunting Tor some one or some
thing.
'Oh, sirr' said She 10 Tristot, "have you
seen a young woman dressed in black pass by
hcrel She slipped out and cannot find her.
She is just like Il little child in her mind, sir;
one of 'Gou's' own,' you know, natural,
and | am so frightened l don't know what
will become Of her here. She never wanted
to leave Us at all in the valley
Come with me- | think / know some
thing Is she your daugLter.'
NO; she ju-t appeared n, our hou-a i:l.c
the saints and miracle, and for IN yeai 5 she